Down to Business

Hosted by Michigan Ross

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May 2025

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About the show

Host Sharon Matusik, Dean of the Ross School of Business, interviews Michigan Ross and University of Michigan alums in the C-Suite to get a better picture of their paths to impact, the value of a Michigan Ross education, and what it takes to be an organizational leader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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6 recent

May 22, 202527 min

Alexander Hardy, MBA '92 — President and CEO of BioMarin Pharmaceutical

Alexander Hardy, MBA '92, alum and president and CEO of BioMarin Pharmaceutical, joins this episode of the Down to Business podcast to discuss his career path and the biopharmaceutical space. Key topics include creating a culture of innovation, learning from failure, calculated risk taking, the social contract between patients and biotech companies, and advice for effective leadership. Host: Sharon Matusik Guest: Alexander Hardy Executive Producer: JT Godfrey Audio Engineer: Jonah Brockman Music: Jeff Karoub Editorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 10, 202532 min

Jenny Just — Co-founder and Managing Partner of PEAK6 Investments

On this episode of the Down to Business podcast, Sharon Matusik, Edward J. Frey Dean of the Ross School of Business, sits down with Jenny Just, co-founder and managing partner of PEAK6 Investments, to discuss her career trajectory. Key topics include the importance of frequent risk-taking, paving the way for women in a male-dominated field, exciting changes in the financial technology space, adapting to artificial intelligence, and the power of poker. Host: Sharon Matusik Guest: Jenny Just Executive Producer: JT Godfrey Audio Engineer: Jonah Brockman Editorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November 8, 202431 min

Andrew Jack – Global Education Editor, Financial Times

On this episode of the Down to Business podcast, Sharon Matusik, Edward J. Frey Dean of the Ross School of Business, sits down with Andrew Jack, global education editor for the Financial Times , to discuss business education and journalism. A few key topics include the evolution of journalism business models, the impact of AI, expectations of business education, disinformation, media literacy, the role of thought leaders and research in the media, and more. To learn more about the hosts, participants, resources, and research discussed in this episode, check out a full-length article for this episode at https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/podcasts/business-society . Host: Sharon Matusik Guest: Andrew Jack Executive Producer: JT Godfrey Audio Engineer: Jonah Brockman Editorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 12, 202417 min

Jennifer Barker – Global Head of Treasury Services, BNY Mellon

On this episode of the Down to Business podcast, host Sharon F. Matusik, Edward J. Frey Dean of the Ross School of Business, is joined by Jennifer Barker , MBA ’01, Global Head of Treasury Services at BNY Mellon to discuss what attracted her to Michigan Ross, the most impactful lessons she learned on campus, her post-Ross career, and her advice for leaders of the future. To learn more about the hosts, participants, and resources discussed in this episode, check out a full-length article for this episode at https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/podcasts/down-to-business Host: Dean Sharon Matusik Guests: Jennifer Barker Executive Producers: JT Godfrey and Tedra White Audio Engineer: Jonah Brockman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 31, 202426 min

Robert Isom – CEO of American Airlines

On this inaugural episode of the Down to Business podcast, host Sharon F. Matusik, Edward J. Frey Dean of the Ross School of Business, is joined by Robert Isom, MBA ’91, to discuss his path to Michigan Ross, his career as a Michigan Ross MBA, his journey to becoming CEO and president of American Airlines, and his advice for current and prospective Ross students who are interested in leadership careers. To learn more about the hosts, participants, resources, and research discussed in this episode, check out a full-length article for this episode at https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/podcasts/down-to-business Host: Dean Sharon Matusik Guests: Robert Isom Executive Producers: JT Godfrey and Tedra White Audio Engineer: Jonah Brockman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 16, 20243 min

First Look – Down to Business With Dean Sharon Matusik

In this new podcast, Sharon Matusik, the Edward J. Frey Dean of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, invites alums in the C-Suite to discuss their path to business leadership. In this first look at Down to Business, get a sneak peek at the first interview with Robert Isom, MBA ’91, CEO and President of American Airlines. To learn more about the hosts, participants, resources, and research discussed in this episode, check out a full-length article for this episode at https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/podcasts . Host: Sharon Matusik Guests: Robert Isom Executive Producers: JT Godfrey, Tedra White Audio Engineer: Jonah Brockman Music: Jeff Karoub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.